Chapter 64
Episode 7: Selen’s Confusion
We were steadily making our way toward the royal capital when I received a report from Brad-san of the 【Shadow】 that Tiarad Empire was showing signs of an impending invasion of Leone Kingdom.
「What could the Empire be thinking? An invasion of the kingdom that overwhelmed them—it’s practically suicide…」
Selen voiced her confusion, and Brad-san responded in a similarly puzzled tone.
「It seems they’ve misunderstood pushing back the kingdom’s army as their own strength.」
「Selen… if the Empire invades and the kingdom’s forces push them back, I’m not going to intervene. Is that alright with you?」
「It’s fine. I’ve already abandoned the Empire; you don’t need to worry about it. If they threaten the people who’ve chosen to support us, I believe we should take down the Empire’s army.」
Just as Selen said, if the Empire’s army starts forcing unwanted annexations on the local people, we’ll defend them from the Empire. So, we decided to temporarily halt our approach to the royal capital and instead closely monitor the movements of the Empire’s army.
When invasion or war occurs, it’s always the people who desire peace and a simple life who end up suffering. I can’t help but feel anger toward those leaders who, driven by selfish motives, watch from the sidelines without ever stepping onto the battlefield.
Once everything is over… I hope to create a place free of divisions between humans, demons, and monsters—a place where everyone can come together hand in hand.
With Mom, Selen, and myself here, I’m sure we can create that kind of place…
➖➖➖Selen’s Perspective➖➖➖
Is my father—or should I say the Empire—truly so foolish? Despite witnessing such a clear difference in power, they believe that if they invade the kingdom, Celestia will aid them just because I ask her. But I would never do such a thing.
If only the Empire would get pushed back, and my father would step down so Slaine could become emperor… but perhaps it won’t go as I wish.
–
Episode 8: Those Without Resolve
The Tiarad Empire launched its invasion of the Leone Kingdom. After receiving a report from 【Shadow】 that the Empire had invaded the agricultural region of 【Figan City】, we made our way there.
Figan City had already been reduced to rubble due to the Empire’s assault… Since we had driven back the Kingdom’s forces, Figan had been left defenseless. Spotting a few survivors who had managed to escape the invasion, we approached them.
「Ha… ha… Holy Maiden… we had no will to fight. We tried to surrender to the Empire, but they refused, slaughtering those who didn’t resist… The women and children were taken to the old fortress for shelter, but we have no way to defend them. Please, please save us…」
「We will drive the Empire’s forces away. For now, rest and recover.」
After treating the remaining residents there, Selen and I hurried to the old fortress, only to find its gates broken… Inside, the Empire’s soldiers were committing unspeakable acts.
「You can have your way with any woman who could be sold as a slave, but no injuries! We need them unharmed to keep their market value high! Gather up the children to be sold as labor slaves! As for the rest, they’re worthless, so kill them all!」
「Ooooh! Let’s get this done fast so we can enjoy ourselves!」
The horrific behavior of the Imperial soldiers caused Selen’s face to twist in anguish. Seeing the soldiers turn their weapons on the defenseless, I felt my right eye’s evil gaze activate without channeling any magic.
「Selen, I’m going to kill all the Imperial soldiers here. Any objections?」
「None… If possible, I’d rather you don’t let them die quickly; let them suffer first.」
「Don’t worry, they’ll experience a pain that’ll make them wish for death yet never receive it.」
With those words, I descended into the center of the fortress, catching the attention of the Imperial soldiers.
「Now that’s a prize! First come, first served—let’s get her!」
The soldiers charged at me all at once.
「By the command of Celestia Z. Sylvania. Power of Gluttony Beelzebub, devour these soldiers who attack the innocent, giving them a torment that’ll make them regret their very existence!」
Gluttony Beelzebub bound all the soldiers within the fortress, devouring them slowly from their feet. The soldiers’ screams filled the air as their bodies were painfully consumed alive.
Watching the scene of devastation before me, I turned to Selen and led the wounded residents of Figan to her, where she used 〚Area Recovery〛 to heal them.
「This place is safe now. I’m going to eliminate the Empire’s forces, so rest assured.」
Leaving those words behind, Selen and I headed for the Empire’s base. Seeing Selen, the officers thought she had come to aid the invasion and invited us into the base, where I promptly summoned my familiar and slaughtered every soldier except for the commanders.
「P-please, Selen-sama, stop this!」
The commanders, faces drained of color, pleaded with Selen to intervene, but she remained silent and looked at me.
「As punishment for the massacre of innocents, I will condemn you to an unending agony.」
「W-wait! It was by the order of His Majesty and the Prime Minister! I never wanted to do any of this… Please, believe me!」
As I prepared to administer judgment, they pressed their heads to the ground, begging for mercy. But Selen coldly rejected their pleas.
「You commit heinous atrocities yet seek mercy the moment you face the same fate… Those without resolve are undeserving of salvation. Suffer endless torment!」
「By the command of Celestia Z. Sylvania. Power of Envy Leviathan, feed on the resentments of the innocent and bestow endless agony upon them!」
As Envy Leviathan appeared, it dragged the souls of those they had slaughtered, enveloping the commanders in revenge. Pulled into the darkness, they were made to endure an eternity of suffering.
–
Episode 9: The Tiarad Empire’s Fall
The Tiarad Empire’s invasion of Figan City ended in complete failure, with all ten thousand imperial soldiers decimated.
Simultaneously, the invasion of 【Apikino City】 faced fierce resistance from adventurers who banded together to defend the fortress along the road leading into Apikino. Despite being only two thousand strong, the S-Rank and A-Rank adventurers held back the twenty-thousand-strong imperial army, preventing them from even reaching the fortress.
However, the adventurers gradually weakened under the overwhelming force of numbers and supplies, and the fortress was on the verge of collapse.
「We’ll hold the line here! Fall back to the city and establish a new defense!」
One of the adventurers, realizing the gate was reaching its limit, shouted loudly. Just as the fortress gate began to crumble and the imperial soldiers were about to surge through, a young girl appeared before the adventurers, offering them a gentle reassurance.
「You’ve done well. Leave the rest to me♪」
「And who are you?」
「Celestia Z. Silvania, here to obliterate the imperial army. Now, retreat quickly!」
「The Saintess from the rumors… forgive us…」
To ensure the adventurers guarding the fortress could retreat safely, she cast a barrier. All that remained was to break through the gate, crush the invading imperial soldiers, and annihilate their base.
I turned toward the imperial soldiers advancing on the fortress and unleashed an explosive spell, reducing everything in the vicinity to dust amid a thunderous roar. Then, summoning my familiars, I issued a command.
「Roha, advance to the enemy’s stronghold and obliterate every single one of them.」
「As you command.」
The blast reached the empire’s base, but amid the rising black smoke from the invasion site, they had no grasp of what was happening. When Roha and the familiars charged in, the imperial forces tried to resist, but they were utterly powerless and annihilated without exception.
The Tiarad Empire’s invasion of the Leone Kingdom ended in a devastating loss of all thirty thousand soldiers deployed, and the emperor, stripped of his people’s trust, had no option but to abdicate. However, with Crown Prince Slaine having left the empire, the chancellor ascended as the new emperor. Amidst the rise of prominent nobles each declaring their own state, years of internal strife ensued. Ultimately, Selen’s homeland, the Tiarad Empire, fell into ruin.
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